Allerhande koopwaren 1848 - 1881

This print, titled "Allerhande koopwaren," was made by Lutkie & Cranenburg, but the specific date of its creation is unknown. It is printed on paper, using what appears to be a woodblock technique. The image is divided into eight vignettes, each depicting a different vendor with their wares—produce, fowl, used clothing, and so on. The rough-hewn lines and flat planes of color speak to the economics of production, emphasizing accessibility over refinement. Note how the texture of the woodblock is plainly visible, especially in the areas of solid color. This is not disguised, but rather embraced as part of the image. The same is true of the simplified figures, whose forms recall folk art. In this way, "Allerhande koopwaren" has a direct relationship to the modes of production, making no attempt to disguise the means of its manufacture. Instead, it celebrates the honest labor of the vendors it depicts, and the humble materials from which it was made.